Storage battery.



D. P. PERRY.

STORAGE BATTERY.

APPLICATION FILED 00112 1903.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

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D. P. PERRY.

STORAGE BATTERY. APPLICATION FILED 001212. 1903.

942,279. Patented Dec.7,1909.

3 SHEETS-811KB! 2.

D. P. PERRY.

STORAGE BATTERY.

APPLIUATION FILED 001.212.1903.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

3 SHEBTSSHBET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID P. PERRY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF TWO-THIRDS TO WILLIAM MORRISON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND ONE-THIRD TO M. A. LU MBARD, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA.

STORAGE BATTERY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID P. PERRY, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in StorageBatteries, of which the following is a specification.

My invention contemplates an improved and highly efficient form of storage battery.

In a storage battery embodying the principles of my invention, the positive pole electrode or element consists preferably of a horizontally disposed perforated copper tube filled with any suitable material, as, for example, oxids of nickel and silver. Upon this perforated tube is preferably fitted a perforated tube of rubber or other suitable insulation, and between the copper and rubber tubes there may be interposed one or more layers of paper and linen or other suitable material. The negative pole electrode preferably consists of a cylinder of wire cloth, as, for example, a cylindric copper wire screen, and this reticulated copper wire cylinder is arranged outside of and concentric with the positive pole electrode. Rings of rubber or other similar material can be employed for centering the positive pole electrode vwithin the negative pole electrode, and for maintaining an equality of distance between all points on the outer surface of the positive pole electrode and the inner surface of the negative pole electrode; the difference in diameter of the two electrodes or elements being suflicient to provide the desired space, say, one-fourth of an inch, between the outer surface of the positive pole electrode and the inner surface of thenegative pole electrode. Rubber disks canbe employed toclose the ends of the cylindric and tubular positive and negative ,pole electrodes, these disks being preferably so applied that the assist in maintaining the concentricity o the two cylindric elements. The cell can be of metal, thus constituting the negative pole of the battery, while an insulated rod or bolt extends from the positive pole electrode and constitutes the positive pole of the battery. Any suitable electrolyte can be employed. For example, zincate of potash, or any other suitable alkaline zincate, can be employed as the electrolyte, a sufficient quantity of this solution being preferably provided to permit the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1903.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

Serial No. 176,802.

horizontally disposed and concentric positive and negative pole electrodesto be completely submerged below the surface of the electrolyte. In the charge, zinc is deposited upon the wire cloth or screen, and in the discharge there is a dissolution of the zinc thus electrolytically deposited on the wire screen, the zinc returning to the solution in the ordinary and well-known manner.-

The horizontal arrangement of the two elements, and the concentric arrangement of one cylindric element within the other, are of very great importance and cause an eX- ceedingly efficient and satisfactory action. The work or generation of current is evenly distributed along the entire length of the negative pole electrode, as the opposing surfaces of the two elements extend horizontally and, therefore, at right angles to the direction of the force of gravity. Being thus arranged, the elements and the efliciency of the battery will not suffer materially from the effects of specific gravitythat is to say, from the tendency of an electrolyte to resolve itself. into strata. Furthermore, it will be seen that all points on the negative pole electrode are equally distant from the axis of the positive pole electrode, and are an equal distance from corresponding points on the cylindric outer surface of the positive pole electrode.

The nature and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a storage battery embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontalsection on line 22 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is a transverse section on line 4% in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective, broken at the center for convenience of illustration, of the ne ative pole electrode in a partially unrol ed condition. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the perforated copper and rubber tubes which constitute the positive pole electrode, showing the rubber rings and end pieces in place. Fig. 7 is a perspective of the perforated rubber tube. Fig. 8 is a perspective of a rubber block which is placed upon the positive pole.

As thus illustrated, my im roved storage battery comprises a cell A, .0 copper or any other suitable material, a positive pole elecimproved by placing a cylindrical layer or trode B, and a negative pole electrode C. The said cell, as illustrated, is box-like in form and is provided with a neck at having its upper end provided with a perforated rubber diaphragm a and a threaded cap a The said cap holds the said perforated diaphragm in place and both can be removed in order to obtain access to the interior of the cell. The positive pole electrode B consists preferably of a erforated copper tube. The working of the attery can be greatly layers of linen 6 around the said copper tube; by interposing paper 17 between this linen and the copper tube; and by then fitting upon said layer of linen a perforated rubber tube 6 the perforated copper and rubber tubes being fitted tightly together with the interposed layers of linen and paper or other suitable material compressed tightly between them. The positive pole electrode, thus constructed, can be provided internally with a copper conductor or tube 6 having a screw-threaded socket adapted to receive the lower end of the threaded bolt or rod 6 which serves as the positive ole. This bolt or rod extends upwardly through the interior of the battery, is thoroughly insulated by the surrounding portions of insulation b b and is provlded at its upper portion with a couple of clamping disks 6 and 6 adapted to clamp the upper wall of the cell tightly between them. A sheet of rubber b is preferably interposed between the nut 6 and the disk b and a similar sheet of rubber o is interposed between the disk 6 and the lower surface of the upper wall of the cell. Preferably, the disk I) is provided with a boss 6, which extends upwardly throu h the upper wall of the cell and through t e disk I)". A layer of rubber b is interposed between the washer b and the opposing surfaces of the disk I) and the boss 6. A nut b is provided for clamping the parts tightly together and for compressing the soft rubber layers to an extent to provide tight joints and preclude all possibility of leakage.

The negative pole electrode 0 consists, preferably, of a cylinder of wire cloth, as, for example, a cylinder of copper wire gauze rolled up in the manner shown in Flg. 5. At this 1uncture, it.may be stated that the inner edge of this wire fabric is preferably, as shown, so woven into the side wall of the cylinder that the inner surface of the cylinder presents no ridges or exposed wire ends. In other words, in order to insure the best results, the inner surface of the negative ole electrode is preferably smooth and free rom projections, ridges, or exposed ends of the wire.

In assembling the different parts, the positive pole electrode is first placed within the negative pole electrode, one or more rubber rings D being provided for maintaining the proper distance between the two elements, and for maintaining the concentricity of the two elements, which latter is an important feature of my improved battery.

The end disks, having cavities e adapted to receive the ends of the positive pole electrode, and projections 6 adapted to engage the open ends of the chamber 6 are then slipped into the ends of the negative pole electrode, these disks being inserted far enough within the negative pole electrode to permit the ends of the latter to be pressed over and folded down fiat upon the outer surfaces of the disks. The provision and application of these end disks plays an important part in the action and working of the battery, as they prevent any tendency toward concentration of the action at and around the ends of the elements. Vii-e rings F are then applied to the outer surface of the negative pole electrode, and are so located as to bind the said element tightly upon the disks E and the ring or rings D. The bolt or rod 5* is then inserted through both elements and secured tightly into the copper tube 6 In use, the cylindric and self-contained structure thus produced by tightly securing the two elements together is supported at its ends .by shoulders G formed at the bottom of the cell. The folded over ends of the negative pole electrode 0 bear tightly against the end walls ofthe copper cell. A screen H of wire gauze of copper or other suitable metal is preferably interposed between the negative pole electrode C and the bottom and sides of the copper cell. This screen can be of finer mesh than the negative pole electrode, and thus adapted to catch and prevent the zinc from falling down and accumulating in the corners of the cell. At the same time, this screen H permits the dirt and sediment to pass below.

The positive pole electrode can be filled with oxids of nickel and silver I) or with any other suitable, known or approved substance. If nickel and silver are employed,

a verysatisfactory way of preparing the wash the precipitate several times. It must be washed several times in order to get rid of all the acid. After it has been repeatedly washed and allowed to settle, it can then be allowed to dry in any suitable manner,

and can be further treated and prepared and made ready for placing in the battery. The final product is a dry powder, which is an oxid of silver and. nickel, and which is a perfect mixture, owing to the simultaneous precipitation of the two metallic oxids.

The electrolyte can also be of any suitable, known or approved characterfor example, an alkaline solution of zinc, such as zincate of potash. Preferably, this solution is employed in suflicient quantity to permit the two concentric elements to be completely submerged below the surface of the electrolyte. And it may be stated, at this juncture, that this total and constant submersion of the two elements below the surface of the electrolyte, the elements being thus completely submerged at all times, constitutes an important and desirable feature of my improved battery. In the ,charge, the zinc of the solution is deposited upon the reticulated Wire screen C, which' constitutes the negative pole electrode. In use, and when the batteryis discharged, the

current is generated at, and passes from, the

negative pole electrode C to the positive pole electrode B, causing the zinc to return to the solution. The provision of the linen b, the paper 12 and the perforated rubber tube 5 also constitutes an important feature of my invention, as it protects the surface of the positive pole electrode. The paper and linen prevent the oxids of nickel and silver from becoming dislodged and leaving the perforated copper tube. The perforated rubber tube holds the porous layers in place. The horizontal arrange ment of the two elements, together with the concentric arrangement of these elements, and the consequent uniformity of distance between all points on the surface of the positive pole electrode and the inner surface of the ne ative pole electrode insures a uniform antI even distribution. of the work or electrical action over the surfaces of the two elements, and particularly upon the surface of the negative pole electrode.

Any gas which is generated in the cell can readily escape through the small opening a in the rubber diaphragm a The arrangement of the concentric and cylindric elements B and C in a horizontal position insures an etficient and satisfactory action. For with a horizontal arrangement,

the elements are obviously subject to the same character of electrolyte throughout their lengths. Thus the possibility of injurious effects from diflerin specific gravities is reduced or minimize The tube 6 as stated, serves as a conductor to carry off the current. this purpose, as it extends the entire length of the positive pole electrode B, and is firmly embedded in the active material, or ma- It is admirably adapted for.

tivity and furnishes some oxygen, while thenickel oxid furnishes the greater part of the oxygen necessary for a proper working of the battery. And this is all accomplished by the use of an exceedingly cheap and inexpensive articlethat is to say, the nickel is much cheaper than other substances which could be employed for the same purpose. Furthermore, nickel oxid and silver oxid are practically of the same character, as far as electrical voltage is concerned, and as the nickel is of a low atomic wei ht, the use of these two metals in this manner gives exceedingly satisfactory results. In use, the silver oxid is active in giving a certain voltage, and the nickel oxid then follows with practically the same degree of voltage. Thus, in use, the voltage of the battery is practically the same throughout the discharge.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A storage battery comprising a suitable metallic cell, a horizontal cylindric reticulated negative pole electrode, a cylindric positive pole electrode arranged concentrically within said negative pole electrode, a cylindric conductor arranged concentrically within said positive pole electrode, and a suitable electrolyte.

2. A storage battery comprising a suit able cell, horizontally arranged positive and negative pole electrode, arranged one within the other and suitably mounted within said cell, disks of insulation inserted within the ends of the negative pole electrode and closing the ends of the positive pole electrode, and a suitable electrolyte.

3. A storage battery comprising a suitable cell, horizontally arranged cylindric positive and negative pole electrodes mounted within said cell, the positive pole electrode being arranged concentrically within the negative pole electrode, circular pieces of insulating material for maintaining the concentricity of the two elements, and a suitable electrolyte.

4. A storage battery comprising a metallic cell, a cylindric and horizontally arranged negative pole elect-rode suitably mounted within said cell and consisting of a cylinder of wire gauze, a cylindric negative element arranged concentrically within said negative pole electrode, said positive pole electrode element comprising a. perforated metallic tube filled with suitable active material, there being a layer of porous material applied to the outer surface of said perforated metallic tube, there being a perforated rubber tube fitted upon said layer of porous material, means intermediate the ,ends of the elements for maintaining the latter in their proper relative positions,

active material surrounding said conductor disks of insulation inserted Within the ends of the negative pole electrode and closing the ends of the positive pole electrode element, means for binding the two elements firmly together, an insulated terminal extending from the positive pole electrode, and a suitable electrolyte in Which the tWo elements are completely submerged.

5. A storage battery comprising a cylindric negative pole electrode, a cylindric positive pole electrode cit less diameter than the negative pole electrode and arranged concentrically Within the latter, a cylindric conductor or less diameter than the positive pole electrode and arranged concentrically within the latter, the said elements being arranged horizontally, a cell containing said elements, a suitable electrolyte, and suitable and filling the bore of said positive pole 0 electrode.

6. A storage battery comprising a suitable cell, a suitable negative pole electrode, a suitable electrolyte, a cylindric positive pole electrode containing suitably prepared oxide of nickel and silver, and a metallic conductor of less diameter than the positive pole electrode and arranged concentrically Within the latter, the said conductor and positive pole electrode being substantially of the same length.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 29th day of September 1908,

DAVID R l fitnesses: v

VVILLIAM lvi onnrson, l/YM. A. l'rlARDERS. 

